'No easy things any more' - Wiegman on Euros draw

England manager Sarina Wiegman said there are "no easy things any more" after the Lionesses were drawn in a tough group for Euro 2025.

The defending European champions will face France, the Netherlands and Wales in Group D.

They managed to avoid being in the same group as World Cup winners Spain and eight-time European champions Germany.

"The draw was nice. The group is tough! These are the facts and we knew how the pots were that it would be difficult anyway," said Wiegman.

"The women's game is developing so quickly so I don't think there are easy things any more.

"We have to be ready for every single game. The women's game has changed. Before we went to the qualifiers for the World Cup, it was kind of easy.

"Sometimes you could predict if you were going to win. In sport it's really good when it's unpredictable because that's the exciting bit about it."

Wiegman 'not surprised' with Dutch draw

Sarina Wiegman has won the last two tournaments with the Netherlands and England

The draw means Wiegman will face her native Netherlands, who she led to victory at Euro 2017 and a runner-up finish at the 2019 World Cup.

She comes up against her former manager Andries Jonker again having faced the Netherlands with England in last year's Women's Nations League campaign.

"Before we came [to Switzerland] I thought we might get them," said Wiegman.

"Of course, we drew them in the Nations League so I was not really surprised. It is not a coincidence any more.

"I hope they will be successful but not when we play them. It becomes really, really competitive. It is just the way it is, isn't it?"

The Lionesses will also come up against a British rival in Wales, who qualified for their first major tournament when they progressed through the play-offs.

"Of course it is a huge accomplishment for them, qualifying for the first time in their history, so congratulations to Wales," added Wiegman.

"We are neighbours, so a good rivalry on the pitch. That will be a challenging one too.

"I think they will fight for every yard in the game we play them and I think they will do that in every single game - so will we."

'Winner of Group D can win whole tournament'

Andries Jonker (far right) coached Sarina Wiegman while she was a player on the Netherlands women's national football team

Wiegman was captain under the Netherlands boss Jonker and they have been friends for almost 30 years.

"It is always special because we're friends. Normally with friends you wish them the best, but as sportspeople we want to beat the other one," said Jonker.

"We want to win. That means you have to hurt your friend. But we are both on the same page and the respect for each other won't change.

"We met after the draw. I said to her, 'Did you ever think we would be standing here together?' Our history goes back to the 90s.

"Now we are here on stage and going to play each other in the European Championship. It is a special moment."

Jonker said the "winner of Group D can win the whole tournament" and former Lioness Anita Asante is backing England to have the tools to defend their title.

"I don't see why not. In tournament football, everything is possible," said Asante, when asked if England could go all the way in Switzerland.

"It's all about how you navigate your journey, how you manage expectation and the pressure when it matters most, and who capitalises in those critical moments.

"That's football. You can be the best team, play the best football and you can lose. I think England know that.

"Many of them are accustomed to being at finals now. We've won a final, we've reached a World Cup final - they will be ready for the challenge."